The Flood Education Mapping Tool by the Harris County Flood Control District is designed to give you a general overview of floodplain information in your area. It’s a helpful resource for getting familiar with flood risks, but it’s not intended for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes.

The floodplains shown on this tool are based on FEMA’s official Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Harris County, originally adopted in 2007, along with any updates made through Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) since then.

However, this tool is not an official FIRM. FEMA is the agency responsible for producing and maintaining the effective FIRM. If you need the most current, official floodplain map for insurance, property, or legal purposes, visit FEMA’s Map Service Center at www.msc.fema.gov.

For an official floodplain determination, always contact your insurance agent or mortgage lender.

This map is a visual guide, designed to show the general location of geographic features, addresses, and land data. It provides a helpful overview, but keep in mind, it’s not meant for precise measurements.

Using the Flood Education Mapping Tool

To check if your home or property lies within a floodplain, open the Flood Education Mapping Tool and select “Mapped Floodplains” from the right-hand menu. A color-coded legend will help you identify different types of flood zones:

• Floodway: This is the highest-risk zone, located closest to bayous or creeks. It’s part of the 1% (100-year) floodplain and is regulated by local governments, development in these areas is often restricted.
• 1% (100-year) Floodplain: Areas with a 1% chance of flooding in any given year, typically due to overflow from a nearby waterway. Over a 30-year mortgage, that risk adds up to a 26% chance of flooding. Structures in this zone face significant flood risk and may require flood insurance.
• 0.2% (500-year) Floodplain: These areas have a 0.2% chance of flooding in any year. While less frequent, severe storms can still cause flooding here, and property owners should remain cautious.
• 1% (100-year) Coastal Floodplain: Similar in risk to the inland 1% floodplain, this area is subject to flooding from coastal storm surge or tidal effects.

Understanding whether your property is in a floodplain is a key step in protecting yourself, your family, and your investment. The Flood Education Mapping Tool is a valuable starting point, it helps you visualize potential flood risks and better prepare for extreme weather. While it’s not a substitute for official FEMA maps or a professional determination, it empowers you with knowledge that can guide smart decisions about insurance, safety, and future planning. Take a few minutes to explore the tool, it’s simple, informative, and could make all the difference when it matters most.